Lady Bucs rise to first place in A-Sun standings as Petersen scores three goals

MACON, Ga. (October 10, 2011) – Scoring a combined three goals over the weekend against North Florida and Jacksonville, senior midfielder Genna Petersen (Loveland, Ohio) has been named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.

The honor is Petersen’s first since joining the Lady Bucs, as the senior’s three-goal performance increases her career-high in goals to nine on the season. Petersen also joins fellow classmate Caitlin Gaughan (Indianapolis, Ind.) as the two Lady Bucs to earn A-Sun Player of the Week honors this year – Gaughan was named A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week the week of Sept. 26.

In Friday’s, 2-1, win over North Florida, Petersen put ETSU on the board early with her seventh goal of the season in the 10th minute. Sophomore Ramey Kerns (Kings Mountain, N.C.) found the senior with a cross, and the Loveland, Ohio native collected the ball in full stride before sending in the goal.

On Sunday, the Lady Bucs met with Jacksonville in a battle of the conference’s top two squads. With the game 0-0 at halftime, Petersen exploded in the second half for two goals in a span of 3:29 to put ETSU ahead for good. She finished the game with four shots, all on goal, as ETSU defeated the Dolphins, 3-0, to take over sole possession of first place in the A-Sun standings.

Petersen’s nine goals and four assists on the year ranks her first with 22 points in the A-Sun, while also placing the senior atop the conference in points per game (1.69) and game-winning goals (4). The nine goals places second in the A-Sun, one goal behind Kennesaw State’s Katrina Frost.